Book Review: "You Don't Have to Learn the Hard Way"

Former real estate magnate J.R. Parrish shares his experiences and real-life advice with young adults

As I’ve gotten older, both the maternal and paternal figures in my life have begun asking me more and more questions — mostly involving what I plan on doing with my life: “Where do you see yourself in five years?”, “What do you want to do for the rest of your life?”, “When are you going to get married?”, etc.

My answer, until recently, was always an annoyed “I don’t know”, or perhaps an indignant eye-roll. Maybe if I had found You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way: Making it in the Real World by J.R. Parrish sooner, I would’ve been more equipped to answer those pressing questions.

Parrish, a former real estate magnate and now a multimillionaire, retired from his real estate business in 1999. Since then, he has devoted his time and energy to helping kids, teens and young adults reach their full potential.

Speaking from experience, and having learned the hard way himself, Parrish distills the wisdom and knowledge he’s gained in You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way. It’s an easy-to-read book that combines Parrish’s own personal experiences with general advice that anyone can walk away with and use.

What’s special about You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way is that Parrish’s advice is not reserved to the career world alone. From financial tips to relationship advice to life after school in general, Parrish shares his stories with young adults and graduates in the hope that they won’t find themselves in the situations he found himself in.

In addition to being a great source of advice, You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way is also a book of self-discovery. Interspersed through the six chapters are mini-quizzes, designed to help readers gain more insight regarding their motivations, confidence levels and relationships with the opposite sex, along with other areas of character and personality.

Beginning with “Human Relations” and ending with “Love and Truth”, nearly every facet of human life is covered by Parrish. Whether you’re thinking of buying it for yourself or as a present for a graduate in your life, be sure to check out You Don’t Have to Learn the Hard Way.